EVENT // NW PORSCHE CLUB 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Pacific NW Region of the Porsche Club of America celebrated its 50th anniversary on November 14th and kicked off the day with a private viewing of the famous Porsche 917K # 20, chassis# 004/017 at Vintage Racing Motors in Redmond, Washington. Brian Redman spoke about his racing career and shared his impressions of driving this 917 forty years ago... [read more]

About 40 guests were invited to listen to Brian share his personal history, from very humble beginnings in a supercharged Morris Minor to the highs and lows of world class motor racing on nearly every continent Brian amassed three straight Formula 5000 titles, one IMSA Camel GT championship, four World Manufacturer crowns: two for Gulf Wyer, (1968 and 1970) one for Porsche (1969) and one for Ferrari (1972). He also drove for the Group 44 Jaguar team and the factory backed Aston Martin in Europe.


It had been four decades since Brian had the pleasure of sitting in this very same 917, chassis # 004/017 that both he and Jo Siffert drove in the 1970 24 Hours de LeMans. To the delight of the guests, the car was started and for a moment everyone got a sense of what the 917 was like (even if only at idle). The 917, with Type 912 flat-12 engine, was capable of speeds in excess of 248 mph and a 0 to 60 time of 2.5 seconds.


The 917 is one of the most iconic sports racing cars of all time, largely for its high speeds and high power outputs. Though this actual car was technically entered into the race, it was made into a movie star by Steve McQueen in his 1971 film Le Mans. The Porsche 917 is the racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971.



The evening events took place at the historic Rainier Club in downtown Seattle. There was sumptuous food, two fascinating speakers from the world of motorsports (Brian Redman and Garth Stein), a room full of club memorabilia, numerous special guests from Porsche Club North America as well as live music and dancing to the Emily McIntosh Quartet. It was indeed a once in a lifetime evening thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees.



For a look at more photos from the 50th anniversary of the Northwest Region of the Porsche Club of America, click here

Photo/Editorial: Curtis Creager